Croatia's PM Plenkovic pushes for immediate overhaul of gambling laws

Croatia's Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic has committed to fast-tracking a comprehensive reform of the nation’s gambling laws, following concerns over the high and unprotected exposure of gambling to citizens. The draft decree was submitted to Parliament by Plenkovic on Thursday, urging ministers to support the reform of Croatia’s Gambling Act.

Addressing Parliament, Plenkovic emphasized the need for immediate action due to the growing impact of gambling, particularly its spread through digital platforms and its detrimental effect on young generations. "We need to influence the reduction of gambling addiction and much better regulate this activity," he said.

The proposed reforms aim to address criticisms faced by Plenkovic and the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) coalition government for their previous inaction on gambling addiction, which according to the opposition "affects over 40,000 Croats". The new measures, drafted by Finance Minister Marko Primorac, seek to strengthen regulations on gambling advertising, protect minors, promote responsible gambling, and enforce stricter compliance.

Key proposals include a strict code on gambling advertising, prohibiting adverts in public outdoor spaces and print media, and imposing restrictions on TV, radio, and digital platform ads. Additionally, all gambling adverts must carry warnings about addiction and risks, and marketing campaigns must target audiences above 18.

The decree also outlines comprehensive measures to prevent minors from gambling, though exemptions will be made for Croatia’s national lottery, Hrvatska Lutrija, deemed ‘low-risk gaming’. Land-based gambling venues will be required to identify all players entering establishments and will be restricted from promoting gambling outside their premises.

A significant component of the reform is the establishment of a self-exclusion register by the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) by 2026. This register will allow self-exclusion requests from players, family members, doctors, and social care workers, enabling indefinite exclusion from gambling.

The new compliance framework will see licensed operators disqualified for repeated regulatory breaches, and Croatian banks will be mandated to block payments to unlicensed operators blacklisted by the government.

Minister Primorac urged parliamentary support to fast-track these changes from 2024 onwards, highlighting the reforms' aim to reduce gambling addiction and its negative societal impact. PM Plenkovic reaffirmed that overhauling gambling laws will be a key mandate of his third term, supported by a coalition with the Croatia DP party.